Three sisters -- each amazing, interesting characters -- return home after the death of the fourth sister to try to stop the sale of the home they grew up in. As with any family reunion, there are secrets, lots of tension, and many obstacles to overcome. These characters are so real and relatable that as a reader, I kept turning the pages to find out how it all turns out for all of them! A fascinating, heartfelt family story.

I sobbed during this book which doesn’t usually happen to me! Mellors is so good at writing characters that feel so real. While all of the sisters were imperfect, they were still so lovable and it was great to root for them. My absolute favorite was Avery, but I loved reading each of the sister’s perspectives. I also loved the scene with Avery x their mother and wish there had been a little more of that dynamic explored with the other sisters.

My biggest hang up was that I felt it was a bit cheesy at times in a way that Cleo & Frank was not. Otherwise, I loved this sophomore novel from Mellors and can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Blue sisters is what I wanted from coco mellors and didn’t get with cleopatra and Frankenstein. I thought that they’re different stories but this book felt so much more real to me. Less pretentious, with more fleshed out imperfect characters. Absolutely stunning writing and exploration of grief.

Blue Sisters is already hands down one of my favorite books of 2024. For readers who love family stories, be sure to add this to your TBR. With three sisters mourning the death of the fourth sister, this book feels so real, the characters seem like people you know and I just wanted to reach through the page and hug them. Told in alternating viewpoints between the sisters, this story of family, love, addiction and heartbreak is a must read for 2024.

Thank you to Random House for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book.

From page one, the description of your relationship with your sisters—and how it so exceeds a "best friendship"—had me hooked.

I loved leaning into every character. As someone with four sisters myself, I quietly identified who is Avery, Bonnie, Nicky, and Lucky. I cannot wait to buy each of my sisters a copy of this one.

34. Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

4/5 ⭐️

I really loved Mellors’ debut novel Cleopatra and Frankenstein, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this ARC of her new book that’s publishing on 4/25/24. The book follows a set of three sister after their fourth sister passes suddenly of an overdose. Coco Mellors is truly a master at turning hard and difficult emotions into beautiful, honest stories, and this book was no different from her debut.

The three remaining sisters regroup in NYC after their mom announces her plan to sell their NYC townhome a year after Nicky’s death. We hear from each sister individually in alternating chapters, which succeeds in building a multi-layered, kaleidoscopic story.

I was super impressed by how complicated and endearing each character was in this story. I related so much to Avery, the eldest daughter doing everything she can to protect her siblings and making mistakes along the way. Bonnie was the foundational, quiet rock of the sisterhood, always doing what she could to get everyone on the same page while balancing her own internal storms. And Lucky is a classic rowdy, unpredictable youngest child, with her own body image and addiction issues to boot. Mellors did an excellent job depicting the reality of intergenerational addiction and the many ways it presents. Each sister struggles to balance an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or pain, and yet Mellors writes each character gently and with empathy. This story is a labor of love that could only have come from someone who is intimately familiar with the patterns of addiction.

I thought the length and character development were great. The settings of London and NYC were lush with vivid detail. I think this is a great beach read where you have time to soak up all the details of the story without interruption. I recommend this book, especially if you have a sister 💙

I received access to this advanced readers copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, so my thanks goes out to them. Get this book in stores on 4/25/24.

A beautiful book about sisters that will hit you hard even if you don't have one. It took me the first 40% or so to really get invested in the story, but then I couldn't stop. Cried at the end! Lovely exploration of family, addiction, grief. Would recommend to anyone!

"Blue Sisters" offers a compelling exploration of sibling relationships amidst personal struggles and the aftermath of loss. The characters, each with their own distinct backgrounds and challenges, add depth to the narrative as they navigate grief, addiction, and ambition.

While the premise of the story is promising, the execution falls short in some aspects. The pacing feels uneven at times, with certain plot points feeling rushed while others linger unnecessarily. Additionally, the characters, while well-developed, sometimes lack consistency in their actions and motivations.

Despite these shortcomings, the novel shines in its portrayal of familial bonds and the complexities of overcoming past traumas. The themes of redemption and reconciliation are handled with sensitivity, offering moments of poignancy amidst the chaos of the sisters' lives.

Overall, "Blue Sisters" is a worthwhile read for those interested in character-driven dramas, although it may leave some readers wanting more cohesion in its storytelling.

Okay, so. I'm coming into this after having just read Coco Mellors's debut, 'Cleopatra & Frankenstein' days before diving into her sophomore endeavor (which was kindly provided by NetGalley). That book had been on my list of books to read for quite some time, and left me wanting MORE from Miss Mellors. Her writing, her ability to weave narratives, her imagery - all top notch. But, boy, is it so REFINED in this new novel.

On paper, I should not be the target audience reader of this book. I have no sisters. I'm a gay man with one straight brother who lives halfway across the country, and we are both either too lazy or too apathetic to keep in touch. I am not worldly, I've never left America. The only part of this novel that I can *truly* relate to from life experience is the theme of addiction, which can kind of be a heavy theme on its own.

'Blue Sisters' follows Lucky, Bonnie, and Avery Blue, the three surviving sisters of Nicky Blue, who we find out at the beginning of the book has passed away. The book picks up on the one-year anniversary of her death, by which time the living sisters have scattered to different parts of the world. Lucky is the youngest, a reckless model who has lived on her own abroad since she was 15. Bonnie, the second oldest, is a former champion boxer, now working as a bouncer in LA after losing her last professional bout. Avery is the oldest, married to a woman named Chiti (we stan Chiti in this house), and living in London in a sparkling, porcelain life only just starting to show its cracks. Through rotating chapters, we get a close view of each of the sisters and a dissection of sisterhood in general through Mellors's masterful, weaving sort of storytelling that blends past and present seamlessly.

Nicky's death upends all of the Blue sisters' lives, and this book is about all of them reconciling the lost symmetry of the four of them; trying to find a new balance as three. Their father is an alcoholic, and Mother turns a blind eye to addiction. We see the sisters fight, we see them say some of the cruelest things you could say to another person, but then we see their capacity for forgiveness, the ability to laugh. How it is possible to know someone so well that you can inhabit their mind and experience almost totally so that they can make you laugh and cry in the same breath.

These characters are all so complex and well-crafted. So too are their story arcs. I went through periods of strongly disliking (or at least disagreeing) with each character except Bonnie, who at her worst was too stubborn and passive but is the undeniable star of the book. But by the end, I loved and appreciated all of them. They feel like REAL people.

Anyway, I loved this book. The writing is glorious, the pacing is great. The author said something in the acknowledgments about learning boxing and how it taught her, "less talk, more action," and every page sings with that sentiment without it feeling too in-your-face. The characters have failures many, but the overwhelming theme of this book seems to be hope. And I really think that we need more of that!

A truly amazing story of grief, forgiveness, addiction, family and ambition. Tnree sisters have not been close since the death of the youngest. Their journey was to learn how to navigate life after losing their sister. So beautifully written.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

And yet again, Coco Mellors has destroyed me, and simultaneously put me back together.

Blue Sisters follows the lives of 3 sisters, Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky, who are grappling with the aftermath of their sister, Nicky's, death. We see how their lives have changed since Nicky's passing, both as individuals and as sisters. We also explore their upbringings, their relationships with their parents, with each other, with themselves, and some wonderful side characters we meet along the way. Not only does Coco give us an insight to grief, but we also learn about how addiction affects families.

How is it that I feel that these characters have somehow been a part of my life? I feel as if I am in mourning, as I did not want their stories to come to a close. This story made me laugh, cry, and long for a sisterhood I never had.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC Blue Sisters is out in the US September 3, 2024

I love Coco Mellors and this book is a lovely reminder of exactly why. This emotional story of growing up as four sisters and coming together later as only three was a beautiful and bittersweet journey. Each chapter focuses on an individual sister and all together these chapters add up to an incredible story of the remaining three sisters coming together again.
I cannot stop thinking about the quote below from their mother and I hope it always stays in my thoughts.
"Once you get to my age, you will learn that you can take a lot of wrong turns and still end up in the right place."

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Lucky is flying to New York to see her sisters and visit her childhood home. When home she is remembering both the good and bad times their family has had. I liked this book.

In "Blue Sisters," Coco Mellors weaves a tapestry of emotions, intricately threading together grief, hope, and the tangled complexities of familial ties. This novel delves into the lives of the three Blue sisters—Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky—as they grapple with the aftermath of their beloved sister Nicky's untimely demise.

Mellors paints vivid portraits of each sister, highlighting their stark differences and shared struggles. Avery, the eldest, battles her demons as a recovering addict turned lawyer in London, while Bonnie, a former boxer, finds solace in a new career as a bouncer in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Lucky navigates the glamorous yet perilous world of modeling in Paris, all while trying to escape her turbulent past. Nicky's unexpected death serves as the catalyst for their reunion, forcing them to confront not only their individual grief but also the unresolved tensions and secrets that have simmered beneath the surface for years.

The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of their childhood home in New York, a place fraught with memories and ghosts of the past. Mellors masterfully captures the essence of family dynamics, portraying the sisters' bond as both a source of strength and contention. As they grapple with their shared loss and confront the demons of their past, they are forced to confront uncomfortable truths and reevaluate their perceptions of one another.

What sets "Blue Sisters" apart is Mellors's deft blend of humor and heart. Despite the weighty themes of addiction, grief, and fractured relationships, there are moments of levity and warmth that infuse the narrative with a sense of hope and resilience. Through the sisters' journey of self-discovery and reconciliation, Mellors reminds us of the transformative power of love and forgiveness.

Ultimately, "Blue Sisters" is a poignant exploration of what it means to navigate the complexities of grief, redemption, and the enduring bonds of family. Mellors's evocative prose and rich character development make this a captivating read that lingers in the heart long after the final page is turned. This unforgettable story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the healing power of connection.

Thank you NetGalley ! This was a really good read. It was my first from this author. I enjoyed getting to read about the sister and their sisterhood. I would definitely recommend this to a friend !

In Coco Mellors' sophomore novel, Blue Sisters, we follow sisters Avery, Bonnie and Lucky after the tragic and unexpected death of their sister Nicky. For a year, the sisters have been dealing with their grief separately, but are suddenly pulled back together in an attempt to prevent the sale of their childhood home in New York City.

The chapters alternate between each sister’s POV, which allows us to go deep into each sister’s thoughts and gain respect for them as individuals. We got the perfect amount of time alone with each sister, as well as different pairings, to understand their long-standing dynamics before they all reunited. They each had such strong and unique personalities and getting to see their struggles through their own eyes made all the difference when connecting to them as characters.

Nicky’s death is a bit of a mystery and alluded to in pieces throughout the first half of the book which was so compelling to read. The sisters' separate story lines kept me captivated, and I was dying to know how each of them were going to work through their issues. The side characters were well-developed, and I loved everything they added to the story as well.

The way Mellors describes the feeling of sisterhood in this novel is perfect and magical and everything I could have asked for. The writing felt so personal and as if Coco was describing my own thoughts. Her writing is so beautiful, I felt like I was highlighting something on every other page. The way she described things allowed me to see the book so clearly as a movie in my head and now I need that so badly.

The exploration of friendship versus sister relationships was done so well, and I loved every minute of it. The author tackled difficult topics such as grief, addiction, chronic pain, and more in a way that didn’t feel too heavy and instead created a powerful message with a hopeful undertone. These characters felt so real, and I think everyone could find a piece of themselves in this book and would highly recommend giving it a read!

Release Date: September 3, 2024

4.5 stars! Blue Sisters offers a slow-paced, slightly pretentious story that strangely resonates in all the wrong ways, yet still manages to be a comforting read. Compared to Cleopatra and Frankenstein, I found Blue Sisters to be significantly more enjoyable. Although both are great books, I simply did not have a good time reading Cleopatra and Frankenstein. Perhaps it was my increased patience with the characters now having previously Coco Mellors' work, or I may have just found the sisters' grief and imperfections more relatable. There were also some truly laughable moments which was a nice surprise.

I found myself rooting for each sister, and they all deserved better. Blue Sisters will resonate with anyone who has experienced loss, battled addiction, family resentment, sibling rivalry or just looking for some fiction that feels like real life. It’s not an escape-type book, but everything comes full circle in the best way. Can’t wait to see what Coco Mellors does next!

Also, her book covers are simply stunning. Definitely an author I found by judging the book by its cover and it’s been worth it. I only wish the chapters were a bit shorter. Pub day is September 3rd!

I am in awe of this book and am so excited for others to experience it. I fell in love with the story and the characters immediately. 'Blue Sisters' delves into a myriad of complex themes such as loss, grief, purpose, sisterhood, and addiction with profound compassion and raw emotion. I laughed, I cried, I reflected. I think anyone can find something they can relate to in their own lives and relationships while reading it. The pure unconditional love between the Blue sisters left me immediately wanting to call my brother and sister to tell them how grateful I am for them, while simultaneously yelling at them for some stupid shit they did 5 minutes ago. Thanks for the early read netgalley, and thank you Coco for writing a banger. I will be ordering a printed copy immediately after it releases for the collection.

I really enjoyed this book as each character developed throughout the story. At first I thought it jumped around a bit but once I got used to the presentation of each character through time it became easier to understand the reasoning for this approach. Each sister comes with her unique personality and life perspective. Coming from a family of girls I found this relatable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this advanced copy of Blue Sisters.

It's a simple yet enjoyable premise - Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky are a group of 3 estranged sisters who walk away from each other after Nicky's (their other sister) untimely death; all 3 believing they could have changed the outcome and all 3 finding themselves dealing (or not quite dealing) with Nicky Blue no longer being in their orbit . Who are they now without her, and can they find their way back to each other as 3 and not 4? With each sister practicing the art of self-sabotage in their personal and professional lives as a means to cope, they find themselves together over a year later when their mother decides to put their New York City apartment up for sale.

While at its core BLUE SISTERS is a story of grief, addiction, pain, and familial trauma, its equal parts motherhood, coming of age, finding your passion and purpose in life, and acceptance.

Mellors has developed characters you'll enjoy spending time with.

3 1/2 stars.